Applicator system and fluid projecting gun therefor



Oct. 23, 1962 w. H. R. LINDER APPLICATOR SYSTEM AND FLUID PROJECTING GUN THEREFOR Filed Feb. 24, 1960 FIG.4.

FIG. 3.

COMPRESSED AIR SUPPLY WA TE R SUPPL Y lnven tor WILL/AM H.R. LINDER by United States This invention relates to an applicator system applying substances from a plurality of sources, and more particularly relates to a three line spray system control and gun.

therefor.

In dispensing various materials speedily and effectively it is necessary to provide a directional applicator and a propelling system together with a means of controlling the application of the materials. In many instances it is necessary to apply several materials, as for example where a workpiece is to be degreased. In such circumstances it is often necessary to apply first a detergent or solvent, then material to remove the detergent, and finally possibly a drying agent. Similarly in the case of disinfectants there are circumstances where it is necessary to wash the article to be disinfected; apply the disinfectant and then dry the article. In some circumstances the disinfectant, if a strong one, may be applied and then washed 011. Such operations are normally accomplished by a laborious process or the use of cumbersome equipment.

In contrast to the above it is an object of this invention to provide a simple applicator suitable for a variety of uses where one or more materials are to be applied.

It is also amongst the objects of this invention to provide an adequate control means for the system.

It is further amongst the objects of the invention to provide a material applicator having suitable control means and capable of three line operation.

It is another object of the invention to provide an applicator capable of supplying materials by means of suction and/or pressure.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the following description and 6X- amples of the manner of use of the invention together with a consideration of the drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 shows a partially cut away side elevation of a three line applicator and control therefor;

FIGURE 2 shows a cross sectional view of the control for two of the lines;

FIGURE 3 shows a cross sectional view along the lines 3--3 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 shows a cross sectional view of a typical inlet coupling for use with the invention, and

FIGURE 5 shows a diagrammatic layout of a typical system as contemplated by the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings and in particular to FIG- URE 1, there is provided an applicator gun having barrel 11 and nozzle 12. The stock of the gun 13 is provided with a hand grip portion 14 in the form of a handle through which pass conduits 15 and 16. Conduits 15 and 16 terminate at the base of the handle 14 in coupling points 17 and 18 which are provided for the attachment of supply lines and the control unit to be described hereafter. Pressure supply line 19 is attached to coupling point 17 in any convenient manner such as by clipping. Supply line 19 is in the form of a pressure line, preferably a compressed air supply line, for purposes which will become apparent. The supply from line 19 passes through conduit 15 into chamber 20 in stock portion 13. Chamber 20 is provided with valve means 21 which may be in the form of a needle valve 22 arranged to seat in needle valve closure seat 23 formed within portion 13 at the end of chamber 219. Needle valve 22 is coaxially and adjustably aligned with valve seat 23 by means of screw threaded portion 24, which is supported in corresponding atent screw threaded portion 25 in stock portion 13, and enlarged portion 26. Enlarged portion 26 fits closely in stock 13 and sealing means 27 is provided to prevent pressure leakage in the wrong direction. Knurled knob 28 is provided to permit manual adjustment of needle valve 22. Thus when the valve 22 is removed from valve seat 23 the pressurized air supply from line 19 passes through conduit 15, chamber 20, past valve 22 and through nozzle 29 into enlarged portion 30 which corresponds in diameter with the inside of barrel 11. The end of conduit 16 terminates in enlarged portion 3%) just beyond nozzle 29 and thus the passage of air from pressure supply 19 as previously described creates a vacuum pressure in conduit 16.

The lower end of conduit 16 as previously mentioned is provided with coupling point 18 to which is attached control means 31. The other end of control means 31 is provided with coupling points 32 and 33 to which are joined supply lines 34 and 35.

Referring now to FIGURES 2 and 3, the end of coupling 18 leads to conduit 36 leading in turn to spigot chamber 37. Conduit 38 in control member 31 extends between spigot chamber 37 and coupling 32 and supply line 34. Similarly, conduit 39 also leads into spigot chamber 37. Conduit 39 also leads via conduit 40 to coupling 33 and supply line 35. Conduits 36, 38 and 39 are arranged to enter spigot chamber 37 at dilferent points in its circumference for purposes which will become apparent hereafter. As shown in FIGURE 3 spigot member 41 fits Within spigot chamber 37, both members being slightly tapered so as to provide a fluid tight joint. Spigot member 41 is held in place by means of washer 42, spring 43, washer 44 and pin 45 which extends through shaft 46 which shaft is formed on the end of spigot 41. The spring 43 serves to tension spigot 41 in spigot chamber 37 so that spigot 41 may be turned without breaking the fluid tight joint. In order to turn spigot 41 handle 47 is provided. Stops 48 and 49 are provided to limit the movement of handle 47 and spigot 41. A brief examination of FIGURE 2 shows that when the handle 47 is adjacent stop 48 conduit 16 is connected with line 34 via conduits 36 and 3 8. Similarly, when handle 47 is adjacent stop 49 the spigot 41 is turned so that conduit 16 is connected with line 35 via 39 and 40. When the handle 47 is midway between 48 and 49 both lines 34 and 35 are blocked off by solid portions of the spigot 41.

In operation as a degreaser the system could be used as follows:

Line 19 is connected to a compressed air supply.

Line 34 is connected to a standard hot water supply.

Line 35 is connected to a detergent supply. (See FIG. 5.)

The detergent to be used will vary depending upon the type of job that is to be done. The compressed air supply is, as has been previously described, controlled by valve 21 which, in the embodiment shown, is manually operated by knob 28. Upon opening valve 21 the air passes through passage 29 into enlarged chamber 30 and into the barrel of gun 11 As previously described, there is a vacuum created in conduit 16 by virtue of the flow of air through passages 29 and 30. If the handle 47 of spigot 41 is adjacent stop 49 line 35 will be connected with conduit 16. This suction causes detergent or fluid to be drawn along line 35 through control means 31 and conduit 16 and out through barrel 11 of gun 10. The

rate of flow of liquid drawn through line 35 and the speed and pressure of application would usually be controlled by adjusting valve 21, i.e., regulating the air flow from the compressed air supply. On the other band it Would also be possible to effect some control by moving spigot 41 slightly so as partially to block conduit 39 in control piece 31 although such a procedure would not normally be recommended. In order to ensure that flow along lin is not interrupted it has been found convenient to pr vide an inlet coupling member 50 on the end of line 35 remote from control means 31. Inlet member 50 is in the form of a metal piece 51 having a small neck portion 52 extending from the upper side of foot piece 51. The neck portion 52 is adapted to be fastened to line 35 in any convenient manner as for example by clipping at 53. There is provided a centre bore 54 communicating between the inside of line 35 and the bottom of the foot piece '51. In addition at least one lateral bore 55 extending from the side of the foot piece 51 to the centre bore 54 should be provided. Thus when the inlet cou pling 50 is resting on the bottom of the detergent supply the vacuum in line 35 tends to draw the detergent in through bores 54 and 55. If the foot piece 51 is resting fiat on the bottom of the detergent container the bore 54 will be blocked and the decreasing pressure will tend to hold the foot piece on the bottom of the detergent container. to line 35 is possible through bore 55.

An example of the manner in which the system of the invention may be used lies in its application as a degreasing system. At the present time degreasing of automobile engines and parts is usually done by means of high pressure steam. Such an arrangement requires special facilities and also skill in handling. With the present system, by placing handle 47 adjacent stop 49 and adjusting knob 28, detergent can be drawn through line 35 and sprayed onto the workpiece to be degreased. At the end of this operation the handle 47 is turned to the 011 position and the knob 28 adjusted to shut off the air supply. The workpiece may then be left while the detergent cuts into the grease. Subsequently the handle 47 is moved to a position adjacent stop 48 and the hot water feed from line 34 through control 31 conduit 16 and nozzl 12 to be directed at the workpiece. If a pressurized supply of water is required this can be arranged by adjusting knob 28 to allow air to flow from pressure line 19. By re-adjusting the position of handle 47 the Water may be shut off and the air supply alone may be used to blow excess Water from the workpiece in order to aid the drying process.

These procedures will of course be used for spraying disinfectants or other products, and the sequence of operations can be changed as a matter of convenience.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention disclosed and as defined by the following claims.

What I claim is:

1. A fluid projecting gun comprising: a body portion; first and second coaxially aligned chambers in said body portion; a communicating bore of reduced diameter extending between said chambers; conduit means in said body for communicating compressed air to said first chamber; a needle valve in said bore of reduced diameter communicating between said chambers; a valve seat in association with said bore of reduced diameter, said At the same time flow of detergent inneedle valve and said seat being relatively adjustable for controlling the flow of air from said first chamber to said second chamber; conduit means in said body communicating directly with said second chamber, said conduit means being substantially at right angles to the axis of said second chamber and adjacent the end of said second chamber having the bore of reduced diameter disposed therein; control means communicating with said last mentioned conduit means; at least two fluid supply lines connected to said control means; valve means in said control means for selectively connecting said supply lines with said conduit means communicating with said second chamber for transmission of fluids thereto; and a barrel communicating with said second chamber for confining fiuids emitted therefrom into a substantially predetermined trajectory and pattern.

2. A fluid projecting gun comprising: a body portion; first and second coaxially aligned chambers in said body portion; a coaxial communicating bore of reduced diameter extending between said chambers; conduit means in said body for communicating compressed air to said first chamber; a needle valve in said bore of reduced diameter communicating between said chambers; a valve seat in association with said bore of reduced diameter, said needle valve and said seat being relatively adjustable for controlling the flow of air from said first chamber to said second chamber; conduit means in said body com municating directly with said second chamber, said conduit means being substantially at right angles to the axis of said second chamber and adjacent the end of said second chamber having the bore of reduced diameter disposed therein, whereby air flowing through said bore creates :a vacuum effect in said last mentioned conduit; control means attached to said last mentioned conduit; two supply lines attached to said control means; a manually operated spigot valve in said control means; conduits in said spigot valve whereby said conduit communicating with said second chamber may be selectively connected to either one of said supply lines for transmission of fluids to said second chamber; and a barrel forming an extension of said second chamber whereby the fluids emitted therefrom are confined into a substantially predetermined trajectory and pattern.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,071,432 Kelley Aug. .26, 1913 1,490,510 Gooley Apr. 15, 1924 1,616,685 Frazier et al. Feb. 8, 1927 2,143,817 Longdin et al. Jan. 10, 1939 2,200,675 Northcutt May 14, 1940 2,301,691 Ellinger et al. Nov. 10, 1942 2,495,587 Magowan Jan. 24, 1950 2,606,069 Hutchins et al. Aug. 5, 1952 2,910,248 Kueter et a1 Oct. 27, 1959 2,919,073 Akselrad et al Dec. 29, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 63,366 Austria Feb. 10, 1914 

